Planning a Class Reunion?

Here are some ideas to make it a successful
one.

Planning a class reunion is easy right? Wrong. Class
reunions must be fun for everybody and not planning properly can make it a disaster and result in very few
classmates returning for subsequent reunions. So many reunions are a bust because of poor planning.
Additionally many are planned well but not executed exceptionally well. If you are on the planning committee
for the next high school reunion, perhaps these tips can make your event a successful one.

Keep in mind these following ideas and tips are just that. You do
not have to do everyone of these on the list to have a successful fun-filled outing:

Franchise Trees, another great
addition to a class reunion or just a gift for a friend or relative.

Tips and Ideas for a successful class reunion:

Choose a class reunion theme and make sure
this theme is evident in every detail throughout your festivities: from invitation to activities. Even
match the tablecloth and napkins to correspond with your theme. Even the food or snacks could fit right in
with the theme.

Many class reunions encompasses more than
one day so have a welcome night that is very casual and
intimate where folks can come for drinks, light snacks, etc. A local pub or small restaurant where you used
to hang out during your school days is perfect for this.

Have a central location
where people can sign in. If it's a one-day event like a picnic, just set up a table. If you are spending a
weekend at a resort or a hotel the concierge will be glad to help you. We like to give out nametags for
everyone. A nice touch is putting pictures on each nametag from days past. My kids are always amazed at how
handsome I was just 25 years ago. (What happened to me?) You should have a welcome basket or bag. Include
an agenda and suggestions for restaurants in the area for out of towners that have to fend for themselves
for a meal or two. Some family memorabilia is a nice touch and we think a personalized candy bar is a great
way to commemorate the event. Take this opportunity to let them know where the bathrooms and other
facilities are. Have them fill out a registration form to gather information for a family directory (or
next year's reunion).

Have a website setup for
your class in advance of the reunion. These are normally inexpensive and a great way to communicate with
the class before and after each reunion.When your
classmates read the stories from your graduating class, and see the pictures of teachers and old pals, it
will create a nostalgic mood that will build momentum right up to your high school reunion.Making a reunion website for your high school reunion is the
best thing that you can do to create a buzz among your classmates and ensure that you have great attendance
at your class reunion.

Place
disposable cameras at every table and continually have your DJ/Band/MC make announcements reminding
attendees to take candid photos of each other. Once the reunion is over, post photos on a website and send
links to everyone.

How about making a time capsule for each table, with small objects from the year of
graduation, such as peace sign necklaces, incense, tape cassettes, 45 records, love beads, etc. The History
Channel athttp://www.history channel.com could yield stories about the year of graduation that could be included. Xeroxed
yearbook pictures, glued onto colored cardboard could also help fill out the
capsule.

Have a reunion "billboard" as attendees enter the main event with photos, memorabilia,
awards, news clippings, yearbook photos, etc... from your class.

Have everyone who was in the graduating class, whether or not they
are attending the reunion, send in their baby picture. Number pieces of paper and leave blank spaces
next to each number. As people walk in to the reunion, they will receive the pieces of paper. Place
all of the baby pictures on poster board or foam core and put numbers next to each one. Let the
guests guess who the baby is in each picture. Everyone turns in the sheets of paper. Whoever guesses
the most correctly wins a prize.

How many times have you been a reunion and you could not remember that person because
your memory is only of how that person looked in high school. "I wonder who that is?"On the nametags, have a photo of the person as shown in
the Senior Year Book so people can identify each other more
easily.

Balloons are an inexpensive way to decorate for
reunions.

Talk to your DJ/MC/Band about ideas
they have done at previous class reunion parties. Providing trivia questions to your DJ or MC in
advance to quiz the tables for answers to who was caught cheating on the senior English test or
something? There would be dozens of questions and ideas you can come up
with.

Of course my favorite and the
favorite of this site is play music from our
era.

Plan a tour of your
alma mater. It’s amazing what memories and stories come back and are shared! See if you can remember
where your locker was.

If
there are classmates too ill to come, create giant "get well" cards and have everyone at the reunion
sign them.

At the
beginning of your event recognize the classmates who are no longer with you. A high school picture of
the person projected on a screen or wall with a (solemn
soundtrack if you have more than a few) would be
fitting.

Avoid
cliche awards like the most successful and those types of awards. Look at awards where everybody can
compete like; The classmate with the most children; the classmate with the most grandchildren; who
traveled the furthest to get to the reunion; who was the last to register for the event; who has been
married the most times? I think you get the
picture.

Invite feedback at the end of the reunion. Have feedback cards handed out or mailed
(postage pre-paid if you can). Feedback should always be taken with a grain of salt, but if you see
the majority of people have suggestions on the same issue, it may be worth taking note for the next
reunion.